Interlocking door hinge



Nov. 6, 1951 F. D. LOW 2,573,798

INTERLOCKING DOOR HINGE Filed Nov. 23, 1948 4Sheets-Sheet 1 40 92 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. Frank 0. Low

dial/u Aflys.

Nov. 6, 1951 F. D. Low

INTERLOCKING DOOR HINGE Filed Nov. 25, 1948' 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.Frank 0. Low

Nov. 6, 1951 2,573,798

F. D. LOW

INTERLOCKING DOOR HINGE Filed Nov. 23, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet .5

35 FIG 4 37 Inventor Frank 0. Low

Nov. 6', 1951 F. D. LOW 2,573,798

INTERLOCKING DOOR HINGE Filed Nov. 23, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F 9 FIG. IO

INVENTOR. By Frank D. Low

Atty;

Patented Nov. 6, 1951 2,573,798 INTERLOCKING noon nner rank D. Low,Chicago, 111., assign or, to Hotpoint Inc., a. corporation of New YorkApplication November 23, 1948, Serial No. 61,633

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to washing apparatus, and moreparticularly to improved dishwashing apparatus of the general characterof that disclosed in the co-pending application of Forrest A. Walker,Serial No. 57,448, filed October 30, 1948.

The dishwashing apparatus disclosed in the Walker application mentionedis of the timed washing cycle type that performs automatically and inpredetermined sequence given steps including spraying, washing, rinsingand drying of the dishes and other utensils contained therein. Thisapparatus comprises a cabinet housing a vertically disposed vatincluding a front opening and a door for closing the opening, the doorbeing mounted for movements between a substantially vertical closedposition and a substantially horizontal open position. In this appara-'tus the door is supported in its open positionby the lower lip or ledgeof the vat adjacent to the front opening thereinto; whereby the'upperend of the door projecting away from the cabinet in its open positionexerts a cantilever action upon. the ledge of the vat. Moreover in thisapparatus a dish-supporting receptacle or rack is provided that ismovable into and out of the vat through the front opening over the doorin its open position, which rack in its fully withdrawn position issupported entirely by the door in its v open position; whereby thecantilever action upon the ledge of the vat is greatly increased,particularly when the rack is fully loaded with dishes or otherutensils. In fact, this cantilever action may be sufflciently great tocause the upper end of the door projecting away from the cabinet in itsopen position to sag to such an extent that there is some interferencewith ready movements of the rack over the door.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providein washing apparatus of the character described, an improved hingearrangement for mounting the door for movements between itssubstantially vertical closed position and its substantially horizontalopen position so that there is no substantial sagging of the door in itsopen position even though it is reasonably heavily loaded.

Another object of the invention is to provide in cabinet apparatus ofthe front-opening type provided with a door movable between asubstantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontalopen position, an improved and simple hinge mechanism for movablymounting the door.

A further object of the invention is to provide in cabinet apparatus ofthe front-opening type provided with a door movable between asubstantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontalopen position, an improved and aimple hingemechanism for movablymounting the door, wherein the mechanism is disengageable to accommodateready and complete removal of the'door from the associated doorway inthe cabinet when the door occupies an intermediate position with respectto its closed and open positions.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the elements of the hinge mechanism incorporated in the dishwashingapparatus, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating featuresthereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together .with further objects and advantage thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure '1 is a frontelevational view, partly broken away, of dishwashing apparatus embodyingthe present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly brokenaway, of the dishwashing apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is anenlarged horizontal sectional view, partly broken away, taken throughthe lower portion of the dishwashing apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2,and illustrating the front of the cabinet and the contained vat, as wellas the associated door in its open position; Fig. 4 is an enlargedfragmentary vertical sectional view of the right-hand side of thedishwashing apparatus, taken in the direction of the arrows along theline 4-4 in Fig. 3, and illustrating the door in its fully removedposition; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view ofthe left-hand side of the dishwashing apparatus, taken in the directionof the arrows along the line 5-5 in Fig. 3, and illustrating the door inits open position; Fig. 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectionalview of the front of the dishwashing apparatus, taken in thedirection ofthe arrows along the line 6-6 in Fig. 3, and presenting a sideelevational view of the associated right-hand hinge mechanism and theconnecting parts; Fig. 7 is a greatly enlarged top view of the hingemechanism and the connected parts, taken in the direction of the arrowsalong the line '|-I in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged bottom viewof the hinge mechanism and is a greatly enlarged vertical sectional andrear thelinel-QlllF'lgJi;alldl lg.llllisagl'ealtlyenlarged front view ofthe hinge mechanism and the connecting parts, taken in the direction ofthe arrows along the line |2-|2 in Fig. 6.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5. inclusive, of the drawings, thedishwashing apparatus ll there illustrated, and embodying the featuresof the present invention is of the general character of that disclosedin the previously mentioned Walker application and comprises a cabinet|l provided with wall structure, including a front wall l2 having anopening |2 formed in the upper central portion thereof. The front wall|2 carries a front panel l4 having an opening I6 formed in.

the upper central portion thereof, the openings I 2 and I! beingarranged in substantial registry. The general outline of the panel l4conforms to that of the front of the cabinet H; whereby the top andsidesof the panel l4 are disposed substantially flush with the top wall andrespective side walls of the cabinet II. The front wall i2 is rearwardlyoffset adjacent to the bottom-wall of the cabinet in order to deflne afoot-receiving recess is adjacent to the floor supporting the cabinetll, permitting a person to work close to the front panel l4. Finally,the bottom of the panel I4 is disposed substantially flush with the topwall of the recess l2 lending a finished appearance to the front of theapparatus III.

The cabinet houses a substantially vertically disposed vat l1 arrangedin the upper central portion thereof and secured in place in anysuitable manner, not shown. The vat l1 comprises wall structure,including top and bottom walls It and I9 and opposed side walls 26 and2|; the top and bottom walls I! and i9 and the side walls 26 and 2|terminate in a forwardly directed door way.22 having a front opening 22arranged in substantial registry with the front openings l2 and I5. Moreparticularly, the doorway 22 comprises a top flange 24 and opposed sideflanges 25 and 26. while the bottom wall I9 provides a forwardlydirected bottom flange that terminates in an upwardly and outwardlyextending ledge or lip 21 disposed between the side flanges 25 and 26.The ledge 21 is directed first upwardly and outwardly and thendownwardly terminating adjacent to the front opening 22 of the doorway22; whereby the upper edge of the ledge 21 is disposed considerablyabove the bottom wall It. A substantially centrally disposed sump 28 isformed in the bottom wall l6 and communicates with a downwardly embosseddepression or groove 29 formed substantially centrally in the front ofthe bottom of wall I! and extending forwardly toward the central portionof the ledge 21. Further, an upstanding inverted substantially U-shapedinwardly embossed vat rib 20 is formed in the top wall l8 and the sidewalls 20 and 2| at the junction thereof with top flange 24 and the sideflanges 26 and 26, the vat rib 20 including opposed legs 2| and 22terminating just above the bottom wall I! and well behind and below theledge'21.

The cabinet H is provided with a front door 22 that comprises an outerbody sheet 24 terminating in an inverted substantially U-shapedreal-wardly directed marginal flange 25, and an inner body sheet 26terminating in an inverted substantially U-shaped rearwardly directedmarginal flange 21. The inner body sheet 26 is arranged in nestedrelation within the outer body .and mounted for pivotal movements withre-v sheet 24 and suitably secured in place so that the principalportions of the body sheets 24 and 26 are arranged in upwardlyapproaching spacedapart relation. More particularly. the upper por-'tions of the body sheets 24 and 26 are arranged in contacting relation,while the lower edges thereof are arranged in considerably spacedapartrelation defining a wedge-shaped space 22 therebetween; also the innerbody sheet 26 carries on the outer surface thereof an outwardly andupwardly projecting bracing sheet 22 contacting the inner surface of theouter body sheet 24 in order to retain the body sheets 24 and 26 inproper spaced-apart relation. The outer body sheet 24 carries asubstantially centrally disposed handle 40 positioned adjacent to theupper edge thereof and readily accessible from the exterior. The loweredge of the outer body sheet 24 terminates in a rearwardly offsetlaterally extending groove 4| that cooperates with an inwardly directedlaterally extending edge 42 carried by the panel l4 adjacent to thebottom of the opening I5 formed therein, the groove 4| and theedge 42cooperating to give the cabinet II a finished appearance when the door22 occu-.

pies its closed position.

The door 23 is arranged within the doorway 22 spect to the front openingl5 between a substantially vertical closed position and a substantiallyhorizontal open position by an arrangement including two laterallyspaced-apart hinge mechanisms 5| and 52 arranged in the doorway 22. Moreparticularly, when the door 22 occupies its closed position the outerbody sheet 24 is disposed in a substantially vertical position and isarranged substantially flush with the front of the panel I4, the centralportion of the door 22 projecting slightly forwardly with respect to thepanel I4; while the inner both! sheet 26 is disposed in an upwardly andforwardly inclined position. 0n the other hand, when the door 22occupies its open position the inner body sheet 36 is disposed in asubstantially horizontal position and the outer body sheet 26 isdisposed in an upwardly and forwardly inclined position. Thisarrangement is very advantageous as the door 22 may be moved between itsopen and closed positions through an angle somewhat less than ninetydegrees.

Preferably the hinge mechanisms 5| and 62 are identical. Moreparticularly, the right hand hinge mechanism 5| comprises a first fixedsubstantially U-shaped hinge element 53 including a base 54 and twoupwardly directed and laterally spaced-apart arms 55 and 56, and asecond movable substantialb' U-shaped hinge element 51 including a base56 and two forwardly directed and laterally spaced-apart arms 59 and 60.The base 54 of the hinge element 53 is secured to the bottom wall IQ ofthe vat |1 rearwardly of and below the ledge 21; while the base 58 ofthe hlnge element 51 is secured to the front surface of the inner bodysheet 36 and spaced rearwardly from the rear surface of the outer bodysheet 24, whereby the second hinge element 51 is arranged in thewedge-shaped space 38 disposed between the body sheets 34 and 36 of thedoor 22. Also tioned between the upp r, surface oflthe bottomwall I9 andthe base 54 of the ilrstlhinge element 53; and a resilientgasket'orpadfl formed of sheet rubber, or the like, is positionedbetween the lower surface of the bottom wall I9 and the base 62 of thebumper'member 6|; and these elements are securely retainedinassembledrelation by an arrangement including two longitudinally spaced-apartrivets 61, or the like, extending through aligned openings formed in thebottom wall I9, the gaskets 65 and 66 and the bases 54 and 62. Thegasket 65 renders the interior of the vat I'I water tight adjacent tothe openings through which the rivets 61 extend and resiliently mountsthe first hinge element 53 upon the bottom wall I9; while the gasket 66resiliently mounts the bumper member 6| on the bottom wall I9.

Also the first hinge element 53 comprises a substantially cylindricalpintle 66 extending laterally between the arms 55 and 56 rigidly securedinto aligned openings formed therein; while the second hinge elementcomprises a rearwardly opening saddle 69 carried by the rear end thereofand adapted to engage the pintle 66. More specifically, the rear end ofthe base 56 terminates in the rearwardly opening saddle 69 that includesan upper part II and a lower part I2 disposed in vertically spaced-apartrelation. Further, a substantially Z-shaped reinforcing piece I3 extendsbetween the lower rear surface of the base 56 and the lower part I2 inorder to render the saddle 69 of strong and rigid construction.

Further, the second hinge element 5'! comprises two laterallyspaced-apart and downwardly extending tabs I4 and I5 disposed adjacentto the saddle 69 and rearwardly of the ledge 21 when the saddle 69 is inengagement with the pintle 66. The two tabs I4 and I5 have alignedopenings therein into which a laterally extending locking pin 16 isrigidly secured; the opposite ends of the locking pin I6 cooperatingwith two arcuately disposed locking slots II and I8 respectively formedin the upper edges of the two arms 55 and 56 of the first hinge element53, for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

A first substantially U-shaped laterally extending abutment I9 isarranged between the arms 63 and 64 adjacent to the lower front edgesthereof and suitably secured in place by welding, or the like. The twoarms 59 and 66 carried by the second hinge element 61 extend downwardlyand rearwardly with respect to the ledge 21, whereby a pair of laterallyspaced-apart and arcuately disposed aligned slots 66 and 6| are formedin the structure of the second hinge element 51 and respectivelypositioned between the tab I4 and the arm 59 and between the tab I5 andthe arm 66; whereby the aligned slots 66 and 6| embrace the ledge 21. Asecond substantially U-shaped laterally extending abutment 62 isarranged between the arms 59 and 66 adjacent to the lower front edgesthereof and suitably secured in place by welding, or the like.

Further, the apparatus In comprises a motor driven impeller 96 arrangedin the sump 26, an associated electric heating-unit 9| of the sheathedresistance conductor type carried by the bottom wall I9 of the vat I'Iadjacent to the sump 26 and a washing fluid inlet spray device 92carried by the top'wall I6 of the vat II; which elements 6. are utilizedin the cyclic operation of the apparatus I6 as disclosed in thepreviously mentioned Walker applicatiom Also, the side walls 26 and 2|of the vat II respectively carry baille structures 93 and 94 whichcooperates with bailie structure 95 carried by the door 33, whereby thefront opening 23 of the doorway 22 is efiectively closed by the door 33when it occupies its closed position, notwithstanding the circumstancethat there is no sealing gasket arranged between the doorway 22 and thedoor 33; all as disclosed in the previously mentioned Walkerapplication.

.Further, the apparatus I6 comprises a dish-carrying receptacle orrack96 that is movable through the doorway 22 into and out of the vat IIwhen the door 33 occupies its open position; which rack 96 is providedwith mounting mechanism respectively cooperating with the side walls 26and 2| of the vat I1 and with the inner body sheet 36 of the door 33 toaccommodate the movements noted; all as disclosed in the previouslymentioned Walker application. This mounting arrangement mentionedcomprises a front roller 91 carried by the lower central front portionof the rack '96 and cooperating with a substantially centrally disposedtrackway 91 formed in the inner body sheet 36, as well as two laterallyspaced-apart and rearwardly disposed lower rollers, not shown, carriedby the rack 96 and respectively cooperating with two side trackways 96and '99 carried by the inner body sheet 36 of the door 33. In accordancewith this entirely by the side walls 26 and 2| of the vat II when itoccupies its fully pushed-in position with respect to the vat II; therack 96 is supported entirely by the door 33 in its open position whenit occupies its fully withdrawn position; and the rack 96 is supportedjointly by the side walls 26 and 2| of the vat II and by the door 33 inits open position when it occupies intermediate positions with respectto its fully pushed-in position-and its fully withdrawn position.

As previously noted the right-hand hinge mechanism 5| is disposedbetween the inner body sheet 36 and the outer body sheet 34 adjacent tothe right-hand side of the door 33; while the left-hand hinge mechanism52 is disposed between the inner body sheet 36 and the outer body sheet34 adjacent to the left-hand side of the door 33. The right-hand hingemechanism 5| and the right side trackway 96 are secured to therespective outer and inner surfaces of the inner body sheet 36 by threecommon securing devices I66; and, likewise, the left-hand hingemechanism 52 and the left side trackway 99 are secured to the respectiveouter and inner surfaces of the inner body sheet 36 by three commonseeming devices I6I. Preferably the securing devices I66 and thesecuring devices |6| are identical; for example, each of the securingdevices I66 comprise a stud I62 positioned in a counter recess providedin the associated trackway 96 and a threaded shank I63 projecting into aconnecting hole formed in the trackway 96,-

as well as a screw I64 provided with a hollow internally threaded barrelI65. The barrel I65 extends through aligned openings formed in the base56 of the second hinge element 51 and in the body sheet 36; whereby theshank I63 is arranged within the barrel I65. When the head of the screwI 64 is tightened the screw I64 and the stud I62 of the securing deviceI66 are drawn together securely clamping .the trackway 96 to aura-resConsidering now the operation of the door '33 in conjunction with thehinge mechanism and 52, and denoting identical parts of the twomechanisms by the same reference characters, it

will be understood that when the door 33 occupies its closed positionthe second abutments 32 carried by the arms 53 and 33 of the secondhinge elements 51 disengage the first abutments 13 carried by the arms33 and 33 of the bumper members 3|, the arms 53 and 33 of the secondhinge elements 51 aredisposed above and forwardly with respect to theledge 21, the ends of the locking pins are disposed above the arcuateslots l1 and I3 formed in the arms 55 and 53 of the first hinge elements53, and the saddles 63 disposed on the lower ends of the second hingeelements 51 straddle the upper surfaces of the pintles 53. Accordingly,the weight of the door 33 is carried primarily by the pintles 53cooperating with the saddles 69 in the two hinge mechanisms 5| and 52,the lower end of the inner body sheet 35 is disposed rearwardly or andbelow the ledge 21, and the lower end of the outer body sheet 34 isdisposed forwardly of and below the ledge 21. Moreover, the'groove 3|provided on the lower end of the outer body sheet 33 receives the edge42 provided on the panel ll; whereby the opening 23 in the doorway 22 isclosed by the door 33 in order to prevent the escape from the vat ll ofwashing fluid incident to the various washing steps that are cyclicallyperformed; all as described in the previously mentioned Walkerapplication.

As the door 33 is moved from its closed position toward itsopen'position the saddles 53 ride around the cooperating pintles 68 inthe two hinge mechanisms 5| and 52; whereby the door 33 is pivoted aboutits lower edge and around the ledge 21. More particularly, as the door33 is moved towards its open position the arms 53 and Gll'carried by thesecond hinge elements 51 move downwardly and rearwardly; whereby theledge 21 enters the arcuate slots 30 and 8| formed in the bodies of thesecond hinge elements 51 and the second abutments 32 approach the firstabutments 19. Also as the door 33 is moved toward its open position theends of the locking pins '15 enter the associated locking slots 11 and13' formed in the first hinge elements 53 of the hinge mechanisms 5| and52 in order positively to prevent removal of the door 33 from thedoorway 22 when the door 33 occupies its open position,'as explainedmore fully hereinafter. When .the door 33 occupies its open position thesecond abutments 32 engage the first abutments 131 and the ends of thelocking pins 15 engage the bottom of the cooperating locking slots l1and 18 formed in the arms 55 and 56 of the first hinge elements 53;whereby the door 33 is rigidly supported in its open position, theprincipal surface ofv the inner body sheet 36 occupying a substantiallyhorizontal position at this time. Since the arms 53 and 50 of the secondhinge elements 51 are disposed considerably forwardly of the ledge 21and the pintles 38 and the locking pins 16,when the door 33 occupies itsopen position, the upper portion of the door 33 projecting out of thedoorway 22 is adequately and rigidly supported eliminating anysubstantial cantilever action. Thus when the door 33 occupies its openposition the the doorway 22 into its fully withdrawn position wherein itis supported entirely by the door 33 without causing any substantialsagging of the door 33 even though the rack 33 is reasonably heavilyloaded with dishes or other utensils. Since there is no substantialsagging of the door 33 in its open position even though it is reasonablyheavily loaded, the trackways 31', 33 and 33 carried by the inner bodysheet 36 of the door 33 remain in proper alignment with respect to thesupporting facilities carried by the side walls 23 and 2| of the vatl'l; whereby the rack 33 may be moved readily into and out of the vat |Ithrough the doorway 22 over the door 33 in its open position withoutinterference.

In order to facilitate thorough cleaning of the interior of the vat Hthe' door 33 may be completely removed from the doorway 22 when itoccupies an intermediate position with respect to its closed and openpositions by virtue of the circumstance that the hinge mechanisms 5| and52 are of the disengageable type. More particularly, when the door-'33occupies its intermediate position the upper edge thereof has clearedthe top flange 24 of the doorway 22 and the ends of the locking pins 16have not ridden into the arcuate locking slots I1 and 13 formed in thearms '55 and 56 of the first hinge elements 53. Accordingly, at thistime the saddles 63 may be disengaged from the supporting pintles 68 bylifting the door 33 upwardly and forwardly while it occupies itsintermediate position, as illustrated in Fig. 4. After the interior ofthe vat H has been thoroughly cleaned the door 33 may be replaced in thedoorway 22 by following a substantially reverse procedure while the door33 occupies its intermediate upwardly and forwardly inclined position,as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Thus it will be understood that the door 33 may not be removed from thedoorway 22 when it occupies its substantially closed position due to theinterference of the upper edge thereof with the top flange 24 of thedoorway 22. And,

' likewise, the door 33 may not be removed from the doorway 22 when itoccupies its substantially open position due to the interlocking actionbetween the ends of the locking pins 16 and the cooperating lockingslots I1 and 13 formed in the arms 55 and 56 of the first hinge elements53. Thus the door 33 may be removed from the doorway 22 only when itoccupies substantially its intermediate position as explained above.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided inwashing apparatus of the front opening type improved hinge mechanism formounting the door for movements between a substantially vertical closedposition and a substantially horizontal open position; whereby there isno substantial sagging of the door when it occupies its open positioneven though it is reasonably heavily loaded. Moreover, this improvedhinge mechanism permits ready removal of the door from the associateddoorway when the door occupies an intermediate position with respect toits closed and open positions in order to facilitate thorough cleaningof the interior of the vat.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and

it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications asfall withinthe true rack 33 may be moved out of the vat I! through 1|spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1.,In dishwashing apparatus including a vat provided with a forwardlydirected doorway terminating in a substantially vertical front opening,said doorway having a bottom flange and opposed side flanges, saidbottom flange being provided with an upwardly directed ledge extendingbetween said side flanges and terminating adjacent to said frontopening, and a door; the combination comprising hinge mechanismincluding first and second hinge elements respectively secured to saidbottom flange below and rearwardly of said ledge and interiorly of saiddoorway and to the lower portion of said door above said ledge andinteriorly of said doorway for mounting said door for pivotal movementsadjacent to the lower edge thereof about said ledge between asubstantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontalopen position, and means including a first bumper member secured to saidbottom flange exteriorly of said doorway and a second bumper membercarried by the lower portion of said door exteriorly of said doorway forsupporting the upper portion of said door projecting forwardly out ofsaid doorway when said door occupies its open position, said secondbumper member swinging around said ledge from an upper positiondisengaging said first bumper member into a lower position engaging saidfirst bumper member when said door is moved from its closed positioninto its open position.

2. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in asubstantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottomflange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided withan upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges andterminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combinationcomprising hinge mechanism including first and second cooperating hingeelements for mounting said door within said doorway for movements withrespect to said front opening between a substantially vertical closedposition and a substantially horizontal open position, said first hingeelement being secured to the upper surface of said bottom flange belowand rearwardly of said ledge and said second hinge element being securedto the lower portion of said door above said ledge, said second hingeelement projecting outwardly over said ledge when said door occupies itsopen position, a first bumper member secured to the lower surface ofsaid bottom flange below and rearwardly of said ledge, and a secondbumper member carried by said second hinge element, said second bumpermember being disposed in an upper position forwardly of said ledge anddisengaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its closedposition and being disposed in a lower position rearwardly of said ledgeand engaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its openposition, said engaging bumper members supporting the upper portion ofsaid door projecting forwardly out of said doorway when said dooroccupies its open position.

3. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in asubstantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottomflange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided withan upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges andterminating adjacent to said front opening, and

a door; the combination comprising hinge mechanism including first andsecond cooperating l hinge elements for mounting said door within saiddoorway for movements with respect to said front opening between asubstantially vertical closed position and a substantially horizontalopen v member and said first and second pads in assembled relation tosaid bottom flange, means for securing said second hinge element to thelower portion of said door above said ledge, said second hinge elementprojecting outwardly over said ledge when said door occupies its openposition, and a second bumper member carried by said second hingeelement, said second bumper member being disposed in an upper positionforwardly of said ledge and disengaging said flrst bumper member whensaid door occupies its closed position and being disposed in a lowerposition rearwardly of said ledge and engaging said first bumper memberwhen said door occupies its open position, said engaging bumper memberssupporting the upper portion of said door projecting forwardly out ofsaid doorway when said door occupies its open position.

4. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in asubstantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottomflange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided withan upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges andterminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combinationcomprising hinge mechanism including first and second cooperating hingeelements for mounting said door within said doorway for movements withrespect to said front opening between a substantially vertical closedposition and a substantially horizontal open position, said first hingeelement being secured to the upper surface of said bottom flange belowand rearwardly of said ledge and said second hinge element being securedto the lower portion of said door above said ledge, said second hingeelement projecting outwardly over said ledge when said door occupies itsopen position, a first bumper member secured to the lower surface ofsaid bottom flange below and rearwardly of said ledge, a second bumpermember carried by said second hinge element, said second bumper memberbeing disposed in an upper position forwardly of said ledge anddisengaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its closedposition and being disposed in a lower position rearwardly of said ledgeand engaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its openposition, said engaging bumper member supporting the upper portion ofsaid door projecting forwardly outof said doorway when said dooroccupies its open position, said hinge elements being disengageable topermit complete removal of said door from said doorway when said dooroccupies an intermediate position with respect to its open and closedpositions, and means including interlocking parts respectively carriedby said hinge elements for preventing disengagement thereof except whensaid door occupies its intermediate position.

5. In cabinet structure including an upstand ing dorway terminating in asubstantially ver-'- tical front opening, said doorway having a bottomflange and opposed side flanges, said bottom 11 flange being providedwith an upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges andterminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combinationcomprising hinge mechanism including first and second cooperating hingeelements for mounting said door within said doorway for movements withrespect to said front opening between a substantially vertical closedposition and a substantially horizontal open position, said first hingeelement being carried by said bottom flange within said doorwayrearwardly of said ledge and said second hinge element being carried bythe lower portion of said door, one of said hinge elements carrying apintle and the other of said hinge elements carrying cooperating saddlepermitting disengageme t of said hinge elements and complete removal ofsaid door from said doorway when said door occupies an intermediateposition with respect to its open and closed positions, means includinga locking pin carried by one of said hinge elements and a cooperatinglocking slot provided in the other of said hinge elements for preventingdisengagement of said hinge elements except when said door occupies itsintermediate position, said second hinge element projecting outwardlyover said ledge when said door occupies its open position, a firstbumper member carried by said bottom flange below said ledge, anda'second bumper member carried by said second hinge element, said secondbumper member being disposed in an upper position disengaging said firstbumper member when said door occupies its closed position and beingdisposed in a lower position engaging said first bumper member when saiddoor occupies its open position, said engaging bumper members supportingthe upper portion of said door projecting forwardly out of said doorwaywhen said door occupies its open position.

6. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in asubstantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottomflange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided withan upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges andterminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door provided withinner and outer sheets secured together in spaced-apart relation; thecombination comprising hinge mechanism including flrst and secondcooperating hinge elements for mounting said door within said doorwayfor movements with respect to said front opening between a substantiallyvertical closed position and a substantially horizontal open position,the lower ends of said sheets being arranged in straddling relation withrespect to said ledge so that when said door occupies its closedposition the lower end of said inner sheet is disposed rearwardly of andbelow said ledge and the lower end of said outer sheet is disposedforwardly of and below said ledge, said first hinge element beingsecured to the upper surface of said bottom flange below and rearwardlyof said ledge and said second hinge element beingarranged between saidsheets and secured to lower portion of said inner sheet above saidledge, said second hinge element projecting outwardly over said ledgewhen said door occupies its open position, a first bumper member securedto the lower surface of said bottom flange below and rearwardly of saidledge, and a second bumper member arranged between said sheets andcarried by said second hinge element, said second bumper member beingdisposed in an upper posi- 12 tion forwardly of said ledge anddisengaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its closedposition and being disposed in a lower position rearwardly of said ledgeand engaging said first bumper member when said door occupies its openposition, said engaging bumper members supporting the upper portion ofsaid door projecting forwardly out of said doorway when said dooroccupies its open position.

7. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in asubstantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottomflange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided withan upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges andterminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combinationcomprising hinge mechanism including first and second hinge elementsrespectively secured to said bottom flange and to said door for mountingsaid door for pivotal movements adjacent to the lower edge thereof aboutsaid ledge between a substantially vertical closed position and asubstantially horizontal open position, said first hinge elementincluding a base and a pair of upwardly directed spaced-apart arms, apintle extending between and secured to the arms of said flrst hingeelement, said second hinge element including a base and a pair offorwardly directed spaced-apart arms, a saddle carried by the lower endof the base of said second hinge element and engaging said pintle, abumper member secured to said bottom fiange and including a base and apair of downwardly directed spaced-apart arms, a first abutmentextending between and securedto the arms of said bumper member, and acooperating second abutment extending between and secured to the arms ofsaid second hinge element, said abutments engaging and supporting theupper portion of said door projecting forwardly out of said doorway whensaid door occupies its open position.

8. In cabinet structure including an upstanding doorway terminating in asubstantially vertical front opening, said doorway having a bottomflange and opposed side flanges, said bottom flange being provided withan upwardly directed ledge extending between said side flanges andterminating adjacent to said front opening, and a door; the combinationcomprising hinge mechanism including first and second hinge elementsrespectively secured to said bottom flange and to said door for mountingsaid door for pivotal movements adjacent to the lower edge thereof aboutsaid ledge between a substantially vertical closed position and asubstantially horizontal open position, said first hinge elementincluding a base and a pair of upwardly directed spacedapart arms, apintle extending between and secured to the arms of said first hingeelement, said second hinge element including a base and a pair offorwardly directed spaced-apart arms, a saddle carried by the lower endof the base of said second hinge element and engaging said pintle, abumper member secured to said bottom flange and including a base and apair of downwardly directed spaced-apart arms, a first abutmentextending between and secured to the arms of said bumper member, acooperating second abutment extending between and secured to the arms ofsaid second hinge element, said abutments engaging and supporting theupper portion of said door projecting forwardly out of said doorway whensaid door occupies its open position, said saddle being disengageablefrom 14 said pintle to permit complete removal of said door from saiddoorway when said door occupies REFERENCES CITED an intermediateposition with respect to its open The following references are of recordn th and closed positions, the arms of said'first hinge me of thisPatent: element having aligned locking slots formed 5 UNITE STATESPATENTS therein, and a locking pin extending between and secured to thearms of second hinge element, said figi gz Ma 25 1922 locking pinentering said locking slots and prey venting disengagement of saidsaddle and said pintle when said door is moved from its inter- 1omediate position toward its open position.

FRANK D. LOW.

